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The following sky map is to be viewed as if it is pasted onto the inside of a large dome hanging above you, such that North (at the top of the map) is BEHIND you and South (bottom of the map) in FRONT. East is therefore on the left side of map, west on the right. Like the Sun and Moon, planets rise in the east and set in the west.

That said, all 5 of the currently visible planets are depicted as they appear in the sky this morning (May 8). Of course they cannot be seen in the daytime sky. I present the map only to show their current positions relative to the Sun. If they are east of the Sun they will set after the Sun. If they are west of the Sun they will rise before it.

Note that, in its ~monthly orbit around the Earth, the Moon moves about 15 degrees to the east (left on map) every day. And so, by May 12, it will have moved alongside Venus (VERY LOW on the western horizon), near Mercury on May 13, then Mars on May 15.

The map is from a website called Heavens-Above.com. Look under Sky Map (old version) to find a link to the customizable/updateable map. The site also includes various other useful info for amateur astronomers and sky watchers, including a schedule of naked-eye-visible passes of the International Space Station, abbreviated at the site as "ISS". You will need to provide your general location in order to get a useful schedule for your area. Note that the LOWER the "Magnitude" of a given pass the BRIGHTER it will be. Negative numbers are brighter than positive ones. The system is based on an old one that, as far as I know, was never revised.

1 posted on 05/08/2021 9:18:34 AM PDT by ETL
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2 posted on 05/08/2021 9:18:53 AM PDT by ETL (REAL Russia collusion! DEMOCRAT-Russia collusion!! CHINA-Russia collusion! Click ETL...)
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To: MtnClimber; SunkenCiv; BenLurkin

Ping.

“This Week’s Sky at a Glance” from Sky & Telescope Magazine


3 posted on 05/08/2021 9:19:44 AM PDT by ETL (REAL Russia collusion! DEMOCRAT-Russia collusion!! CHINA-Russia collusion! Click ETL...)
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